Information about Iced Coffee

Iced coffee is a cold variant of the normally hot beverage coffee.

Preparation

There are several ways of preparing iced coffee. Ordinary hot-brewed coffee can be served cold, although this may result in a bitter-tasting product. Cold brewing relies on time, rather than heat, to transfer the coffee flavor to the water. In order to achieve this, ground coffee is soaked in water for hours and then filtered. This may be done in any container, such as a mason jar, although commercialized cold brewing systems also exist^[1].

Serving

Depending on the brewing method, iced coffee can be served already chilled, or poured hot, double strength, over an equal amount of ice. Because sugar does not dissolve readily into cold liquids, it must be added either directly to the hot base, or to the finished product in the form of simple syrup, which can be made by mixing quantities of water, dairy, soymilk and/or sugar, then simmering over low heat until the desired viscosity is attained. Instead of sugar, most synthetic substitutes such as aspartame (Equal, Nutrasweet) or sucralose (Splenda) will dissolve readily into cold coffee.

Other countries

Australia

In Australia, iced coffee is a cold flavoured milk drink as opposed to simply coffee that has been chilled or cold-brewed. Home made iced coffee is often served with ice cream and whipped cream. The result is something like an un-blended milk shake.

There are many restaurants and cafes which also serve iced coffee made from chilled coffee and water (with or without ice) with ice cream, syrup, cream and cocoa powder or coffee beans on top.

Some commercial varieties of iced coffee are made from real coffee while others contain only coffee flavouring. Most commercial varieties of Australian iced coffee have 2-3 times the caffeine of cola.

Iced coffee has been sold commercially in Australia since the late 19th century in the form of a syrup, and more recently as a prepackaged, ready to consume drink.

One popular brand is Farmer's Union Iced Coffee, which outsells Coca Cola in South Australia and has become an official icon and legend in that state ^[2]

Germany

In Germany there are different types of Eiskaffee (iced coffee). The most widespread form is a flavoured milk drink similar to Australian iced coffee, generally spelled as Eiscafé (from the French café) and available in German coffeehouses and in Eisdielen (ice-cream parlours). However, this type of iced coffee is rarely available in German supermarkets. The most widespread form of iced coffee in supermarkets is a canned version from a variety of brands with different flavours such as Cappuccino and Espresso. This iced coffee is very similar to the canned iced coffee in the UK and in the case of some brands (particularly Nestlé) actually the same product.

Greece

Main article: Greek frappé coffee

In Greece one of the most popular coffees is a variation of iced coffee, called Frappé invented by Yiannis Dritsas. Its is stirred in an electric mixer and thus has a foam on top. Milk is optional. It became well-known during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games when many tourists became fond of it and an article on the Los Angeles Times was written about it.[1]

Other popular cold coffee beverages in Greece are espresso and capuccino freddo.

Israel

Iced Coffee, or "Ice Caffe" as pronounced in Hebrew, is more of a coffee slushie with blended ice and not simply chilled coffee.

Italy

In Italy Nestlé introduced the Greek frappé coffee under its Nescafé Red Cup line, with the name Red Cup Iced Coffee.

Japan

In Japan, iced coffee (アイスコーヒー iced coffee in Japanese) has been drunk since Taishō period (around 1920s) in coffee shops. It is served with gum syrup and milk. Cold tea was already popular, so it was natural to drink cold coffee. In 1969, UCC Ueshima Coffee released canned coffee, which made coffee available everywhere. Today, Japanese Canned Coffee is drunk both cold and hot, but it was usually drunk cold then.

Thailand

Thai iced coffee is brewed using strong black coffee, sweetened with sugar, heavy cream (or half-and-half) and cardamom, and quickly cooled and served over ice. Some variations are brewed using espresso. Thai iced coffee can be served with whipped cream on top for a layered effect, and garnished with cinnamon, vanilla and/or anise. It is a common menu item at Thai restaurants and works well after a spicy Asian meal.

United Kingdom

In United Kingdom, iced coffee comes in a variety of forms. There is a canned version, produced by Nestlé, who make a variety of flavours such as Cappuccino and Mochaccino. These cans are found in most (if not all) supermarkets and are usually found in the tea/coffee aisle, as opposed to being ready chilled, which is meant to be done by the customer at their own home. The second type of iced coffee comes in a glass bottle, this version is made by a small company called Cafe Met^[3], they produce Chocolatte, Hazelatte and Mochalatte varieties. The bottles are found in chilled cabinets and must be kept chilled at all times, likely due to the content of fresh milk. A further type is offered by Dinkum [2], and is aimed at the mobile vendor market.

Vietnam

Vietnamese iced coffee is drip coffee with condensed milk served over ice. In Vietnam, it is typical to use a coffee press to brew the dark-roasted beans often used to make iced coffee. It is generally a sweeter, heavier drink than its Thai counterpart.

India

"Cold coffee" has become an extremely popular drink in India over the last several years. Typically it consists of Nescafe instant coffee mixed with cold milk in a blender, producing a thin, coffee-flavored smoothie. A more upscale version is popular in the espresso bar chains Barrista and Cafe Coffee Day. This is made with a shot of espresso and cold milk, like a latte.

See also

• Coffee
• Toddy coffee

References

Iced Coffee recipes website: [3] Farmer's Union Iced Coffee website: [4]

•  • [ e] Coffee

Facts about coffee: History of coffee - Economics of coffee - Coffee and health Species and varieties: List of varieties - Coffea arabica: Kenya AA, Kona, Jamaican Blue Mountain - Coffea canephora (robusta): Kopi Luwak Major chemicals in coffee: Caffeine - Cafestol Coffee bean processing: Coffee roasting - Home roasting coffee - Decaffeination Common beverage preparation: Espresso (lungo, ristretto) - Drip brew (from coffeemakers) - French press - Turkish coffee - Instant coffee - Chemex - Moka Express Popular coffee beverages: Americano/Long black - Caf au lait/Caf con leche - Cafe mocha - C ph sữa đ Cappuccino - Cortado - Greek frapp coffee - Indian filter coffee - Irish coffee - Latte/Flat white Macchiato (espresso, latte) - Iced coffee - Red eye Coffee and lifestyle: Social aspects of coffee - Coffeehouse - Caff - Caf - Caff sospeso - Coffee cupping - Coffee break/Fika